Opening Day 2026 Poem One

This post walks through a poem built from an unusual constraint: turning a list of boat names into verbs within a scene about the 2026 log boom, which is an extension to Dock Zero. The unpacking of several invented verbs, translates poetic language into concrete meaning—watching the horizon, tightening lines, chaining logs, riding wind, easing tension, and reflecting on history.

What makes it compelling is the tension between abstraction and realism. The language is playful and surreal on the surface, but every line maps back to very physical, recognizable maritime actions and shared human moments—labor, coordination, memory, and release. It becomes a kind of linguistic choreography, where naming turns into doing, and the reader gets to see how meaning is constructed rather than just delivered.

Columbia River Maritime Museum at Astoria, Oregon

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is considered a must-see in Astoria because it vividly interprets the unique and dramatic maritime history of the Columbia River and the surrounding “Graveyard of the Pacific.” It offers insight into exploration, shipwrecks, rescue missions, navigation challenges, and river commerce—anchoring an understanding of Astoria’s pivotal role in Pacific Northwest maritime…

Sonoma County California

This page explores Sonoma and Jack London from several angles. Sonoma Plaza, Mission San Francisco Solano, local birding and hiking in parks and along the coast, the lighted tractor parade celebrating agricultural heritage, and the French bakery Les Pascals in Glen Ellen, as well as a discussion of wildfire, flood, and seismic risks and why fall is often the best time to visit are discussed. The conversation then shifts to Jack London State Historic Park, outlining its trails, historic buildings, Wolf House ruins, “Pig Palace,” and eucalyptus groves, and summarizing London’s life as an adventurer‑author who became an experimental, sustainability‑minded rancher on his “Beauty Ranch,” where he applied ideas from his travels (like Korean terracing) and attempted—unsuccessfully—to launch a eucalyptus timber business.

Santa Barbara, California USA

The story of Santa Barbara, known as the American Riviera, begins with the iconic Old Mission Santa Barbara. Founded in 1786 by Spanish Franciscans, this “Queen of the Missions” stands as a testament to the area’s rich cultural heritage. Its twin bell towers and stunning architecture have become synonymous with the city’s character.

The city’s tumultuous history includes Zorro, the 1969 oil spill, the California Oil Spill and the burning of a Bank of America branch in Isla Vista in 1970, a reflection of the era’s social unrest and anti-establishment sentiments.

Catalina Yachts Bankruptcy

The explosion of capable used fiberglass boats was a powerful structural headwind. Catalina’s own success from the 1970s–1990s flooded the market with durable, still‑sailable hulls—C‑22s, 27s, 30s, 34s—that can be refit for a fraction of the cost of a new build. The decision to move upmarket with the 5 Series and powerboats certainly raised Catalina’s exposure to macro economic shocks, but it was a plausible strategic response to Beneteau’s dominance at the entry level, not the core “mistake.” The collapse happened when fragile financing met a historically tough market—and when a storied brand no longer had Frank Butler’s conservative, cash‑focused stewardship guarding the downside. Primary, immediate responsibility lies with the 2025 acquirer (Reardon/Daedalus) for under‑capitalized consolidation, unpaid obligations, and the loss of the Largo plant that made continued production impossible.

Ruby Princess First-Timer’s Survival Guide: Essential Passenger Wisdom

The author took two weeks researching the Ruby Princess and it was almost enough to avoid the pitfalls of a new cruiser. This post adds additional findings after completing a cruise to the body of knowledge involving this Love Boat. Bottom line, you will need several cruises to get it all.

Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness

Endicott Arm, a remote fjord in Southeast Alaska, offers dramatic glacier scenery, and is visited by major cruise lines like Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, and National Geographic. There are excursions from Juneau and Ketchikan. Strict environmental practices limit noise and disruption near Dawes Glacier, with cruise ships often rotating to ensure balcony staterooms face scenic highlights. Zodiac excursions, including ice collection for specialty cocktails, are mostly offered by small expedition lines; passenger access varies by operator and season. Fords Terror, a notable offshoot of Endicott Arm, is famed for its tidal rapids and stunning granite walls, accessible only at slack tide, limited to smaller vessels and cherished by adventurers for its wild beauty.

Ketchikan, Alaska

The name “Ketchikan” is believed to come from the Tlingit word “Kitschk-Hin” meaning “thundering wings of an eagle” and is reminiscent of the outline of the Ketchikan Creek seen from above. An exciting flightseeing adventure is a thrilling opportunity to see this unique feature yourself. An estimated 19% of Ketchikan residents are of Tlingit, Haida…

Ruby Princess, a Fincantieri Super Yacht

A super yacht of Italian design, And a vessel grand, where futures align. Her decks are streets, her lounges are squares, A metropolis afloat, with worldly fares.

Beneath the fog, she slips away, A city for tomorrow, born today. Not bound by land, nor fixed in place, Ruby Princess glides with effortless grace. Restaurants and theaters, pools and spas, A microcosm of life, both near and far.

San Francisco fades, but urban life thrives, On this ship where innovation drives. No billionaire’s toy, this Princess of the sea, But a glimpse of what our cities could be. Efficient, diverse, a community afloat, Ruby Princess, more than just a boat.

From port to port, she carries her nation, A blueprint for future civilization. A Fincantieri super yacht so rare, And a city of the future, beyond compare.